​How many of us have wondered where do our cherished iPad or iPhone really came from? Like many things these days, even these expensive gadgets are made in China by simple Chinese workers who labor day and night to meet the demand of the hungry Western consumer.

We marvel about how many iPhones and iPads the biggest tech company of all time has managed to ship in one quarter, b​​ut at what price? Apparently, the price is a pretty big one, as workers in assembly facilities like the ones owned by Foxconn are producing the devices you love in horrible conditions. Nineteen year old Tian Yu is a good example. At an age when American girls go to frat parties and post iPhone selfies on their Facebook page, the young Chinese girl has already attempted suicide. Why? Because she was worked to death and ironically never received her minuscule pay check.

Yu worked in one for Foxconn facilities 12 hours a day, six days a week. She had no minute to spare, not even to go to launch or to the toilet. Free time was out of the question, the little minutes she had to herself she spent them in bed. So on 17 March 2010 she tried to kill herself by jumping from her dorm window in Shenzhen.

Apple has been made aware of the horrible living and working conditions in the Chinese plants and has publicly asked Foxconn to do something about it. However, as far as we know, it hasn’t provided any money towards this direction. CEO Tim Cook also denounced the practice, but is that enough? He still cashes in a fat paycheck that amounts to $4m per year.

I've always had a problem wit this system. Yes, our household owns three total idevices but that doesn't mean we find this to be OK. I've argued many times with many people about this being a cut and dry case of slave labor. But, they always come back with the same thing: "but these jobs improve these people's lives and without the jobs they'd be even more destitute". Sorry, ain't buying it. I suppose technically they have improved their lives but how much really? Like telling a cancer patient that they have stage 4 pancreatic cancer instead of stage 5? I'm sure they'd be like " oh great then, lets whip out the champagne". Bunch of BS.

Apple is not alone in doing this and I'td be nice to see all the companies do the right thing and share some of the trillions they earn with the workforce by paying them better wages and having regular working hours. But, nope.... Those grumpy, laizze faire capitalist investors don't wanna hear it. If they had their way, this stuff would be built by children for NO pay. They'd do it in a second. So not only do they use what's essentially slave labor but they do it overseas too at the expense of good paying American jobs. All because eleventy billion in profit every month isn't quite enough. It's not like these places are operating on razor thin margins. They aren't at all.

OK, OK, I'm done but I get sick of reading this stuff and for the eventual "explanation" by the apologists.

Next time, maybe well look at tablets and devices that are made here instead? Oh wait....that's not even possible. Bleh.

Apple has been made aware of the horrible living and working conditions in the Chinese plants and has publicly asked Foxconn to do something about it. However, as far as we know, it hasn’t provided any money towards this direction. CEO Tim Cook also denounced the practice, but is that enough? He still cashes in a fat paycheck that amounts to $4m per year.

The bottom line (pun intended) is that this isn't Apple's problem, or the problem of their customers. Conditions will improve when the Chinese people do something about this, not outside companies and governments. These are the exact same growing pains any country experiences with expanding industrialization. This kind of stuff happened in the US with coal mining, the early auto industry, and so on. It's why we've got OSHA and labor laws and unions and such. A bunch of westerners moaning and hand-wringing won't accomplish jack.

The bottom line (pun intended) is that this isn't Apple's problem, or the problem of their customers. Conditions will improve when the Chinese people do something about this, not outside companies and governments. These are the exact same growing pains any country experiences with expanding industrialization. This kind of stuff happened in the US with coal mining, the early auto industry, and so on. It's why we've got OSHA and labor laws and unions and such. A bunch of westerners moaning and hand-wringing won't accomplish jack.

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There really isn't anything the people can do though. When you are already in a tough spot, it makes it easy to lure you into something that isn't a good deal but its better than your current situation. This is the concept of building products where ever the misery is greatest. Then, once the standard of living nudges up just a bit, the companies pack up and find the next most miserable area to make stuff.

The bottom line (pun intended) is that this isn't Apple's problem, or the problem of their customers. Conditions will improve when the Chinese people do something about this, not outside companies and governments. These are the exact same growing pains any country experiences with expanding industrialization. This kind of stuff happened in the US with coal mining, the early auto industry, and so on. It's why we've got OSHA and labor laws and unions and such. A bunch of westerners moaning and hand-wringing won't accomplish jack.

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This is an excuse to ignore the suffering/enslavement of people who labor to make the things we consume. Thousands suffering inhumane conditions and in some cases dying is NOT a natural process that we should just sit back a passively watch from a distance. A few more trapped, desperate souls slit their throats? A couple more buildings full of people burned alive? What's the big deal? It's all a predictable aspect of capitalism expanding into new markets.

B.S. Pressure from large international contracts absolutely can make a difference and help speed up the evolution of more ethical labor laws and practices. Start asking questions. Complain as loudly as you can. Even if only one life is saved it's worth the relatively small effort on our part.

This is an excuse to ignore the suffering/enslavement of people who labor to make the things we consume. Thousands suffering inhumane conditions and in some cases dying is NOT a natural process that we should just sit back a passively watch from a distance. A few more trapped, desperate souls slit their throats? A couple more buildings full of people burned alive? What's the big deal? It's all a predictable aspect of capitalism expanding into new markets. B.S. Pressure from large international contracts absolutely can make a difference and help speed up the evolution of more ethical labor laws and practices. Start asking questions. Complain as loudly as you can. Even if only one life is saved it's worth the relatively small effort on our part.

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Yeah, as much as I appreciate what capitalism has brought us and our standard of living its the never ending chase for more and more and more profits that cause this. A few billion isn't enough. Nope, those scruffy shareholders want MORE. It's never enough. I just would like to see the workforce benefit from these trillion dollar companies a little more. Can't they pay people a little more? Is it really going to kill them? Of course not but with Wall Street breathing down your neck and some hedge fund manager crawling up your fanny....you can't do it. This isn't just an apple thing either. I'd like to see every major company share profits more with the people doing the work. That's not socialism to me, it's simply the right thing to do. Didn't Henry ford correctly determine that having employed people who could actually afford his cars end up being better in the long run?

All of these companies COULD make the stuff here or at least pay better wages abroad. They CHOOSE not too though. Too bad.

There's something oddly ironic about listening to someone complain about the way sausage is made while stuffing thier faces with Andouille and Bratwurst.

If you feel so inclined to "do something about it", then stop buying Apple products.

The previous poster who said it is the growing pains any country progressing through its industrial age is largely correct.

And the person who said there is nothing they (workers) can do about it must have skipped 19th century American History, because America didn't *start out* with the vast labor, health, and safety laws we have today.

There's something oddly ironic about listening to someone complain about the way sausage is made while stuffing thier faces with Andouille and Bratwurst. If you feel so inclined to "do something about it", then stop buying Apple products. The previous poster who said it is the growing pains any country progressing through its industrial age is largely correct. And the person who said there is nothing they (workers) can do about it must have skipped 19th century American History, because America didn't *start out* with the vast labor, health, and safety laws we have today.

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Growing pains? Were there lots of suicides in this country way back when over labor issues? And, we are at a point where it shouldn't take decades to determine that working conditions for many people are simply terrible. It's 2013. Just pointing that out.

And, let's not forget that as soon as the Chinese DO enact rules and laws, guess what will happen? The companies will pack up shop and find the next most miserable and cheapest place to get stuff made.

It shouldn't be us having to do something about it, it should be these companies doing the right in and being held accountable. Progressing through their Industrial Age? C'mon, is that what we are using as an excuse now? That's almost comical. . Whatever.

There's something oddly ironic about listening to someone complain about the way sausage is made while stuffing thier faces with Andouille and Bratwurst. If you feel so inclined to "do something about it", then stop buying Apple products. The previous poster who said it is the growing pains any country progressing through its industrial age is largely correct. And the person who said there is nothing they (workers) can do about it must have skipped 19th century American History, because America didn't *start out* with the vast labor, health, and safety laws we have today.

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By "oddly ironic" I suppose you're implying hypocrisy. I disagree. Fortunately, we're not limited to a simple all or nothing/like it or leave it approach. I'm not convinced it's the most effective approach in this case anyway. As s2mikey points out, when labor laws begin to evolve in one country, corporations and their suppliers can just move to another labor market willing to maximize exploitation of its workforce. A small but vocal group of existing customers may have a bigger impact compared to a similar number who disengage from a corporation which now has little reason to listen to them or care what they think.

Obviously, a very large percentage of customers vocally walking out in protest would catch the attention of boards of directors as well as investors, but I don't think enough people care enough at this point. Besides, Apple isn't the only company involved with these supplier issues, so a moral purist would have to virtually disappear off the technology grid. On the other hand, if a corporation starts to differentiate themselves and say "hey, we're making the effort to be more green and insist on people getting a living wage wherever we operate in the world", then yes it's time to take your money over there if you're someone who cares at all.

But again, as s2mikey said, it's 2013. The fact that we already know from our own history how much suffering labor abuses can cause, is actually a reason we should be more involved and proactive instead of sitting back and silently watching the horrors unfold from afar. It's okay if you chose to see it as someone else's problem as long as it doesn't effect you directly. That doesn't mean we all have to see it that way. Those who seek to evolve from service-to-self to a more service-to-others awareness can chose to do something for others&mdash;even when we're not required to. It helps move us a little closer to a world where others are more likely to do the same for you instead of the hostile, self-centered world currently unfolding.

For those inspired to do so, there are countless ways to help. Make an effort to investigate corporate ethics and practices then move your money accordingly; fire off letters to CEOs, newspapers and politicians; contribute what you can to social justice groups...and the list goes on.

By "oddly ironic" I suppose you're implying hypocrisy. I disagree. Fortunately, we're not limited to a simple all or nothing/like it or leave it approach. I'm not convinced it's the most effective approach in this case anyway. As s2mikey points out, when labor laws begin to evolve in one country, corporations and their suppliers can just move to another labor market willing to maximize exploitation of its workforce. A small but vocal group of existing customers may have a bigger impact compared to a similar number who disengage from a corporation which now has little reason to listen to them or care what they think. Obviously, a very large percentage of customers vocally walking out in protest would catch the attention of boards of directors as well as investors, but I don't think enough people care enough at this point. Besides, Apple isn't the only company involved with these supplier issues, so a moral purist would have to virtually disappear off the technology grid. On the other hand, if a corporation starts to differentiate themselves and say "hey, we're making the effort to be more green and insist on people getting a living wage wherever we operate in the world", then yes it's time to take your money over there if you're someone who cares at all. But again, as s2mikey said, it's 2013. The fact that we already know from our own history how much suffering labor abuses can cause, is actually a reason we should be more involved and proactive instead of sitting back and silently watching the horrors unfold from afar. It's okay if you chose to see it as someone else's problem as long as it doesn't effect you directly. That doesn't mean we all have to see it that way. Those who seek to evolve from service-to-self to a more service-to-others awareness can chose to do something for others&mdash;even when we're not required to. It helps move us a little closer to a world where others are more likely to do the same for you instead of the hostile, self-centered world currently unfolding. For those inspired to do so, there are countless ways to help. Make an effort to investigate corporate ethics and practices then move your money accordingly; fire off letters to CEOs, newspapers and politicians; contribute what you can to social justice groups...and the list goes on. Peace.

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Well said. Sounds like we are on the same page here. It's not simple or cut and dry....but the companies CAN and SHOULD provide better wages and benefits for people who do the work. Period.

Growing pains? Were there lots of suicides in this country way back when over labor issues? And, we are at a point where it shouldn't take decades to determine that working conditions for many people are simply terrible. It's 2013. Just pointing that out.

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The suicides are, in part, cultural; remember that suicide in a lot of Western religions and philosophies is anathema, so people here wouldn't consider it no matter how bad things got. But I've heard nothing about the kinds of beatings and murders that marked the US's history of labor disputes.

As far as it being 2013 - to paraphrase "The Princess Bride," in a lot of the world that doesn't mean what you think it means. We First Worlders are numerically a small part of the human population - to more than half the people in the world, 2013 doesn't mean readily-available clean water or electricity.

Another bottom line - there are only two ways to effectively change the situation. The workers quit working or the buyers quit buying. Neither group seems willing to commit to that course of action in serious numbers, despite moaning about how awful it all is. The half-measures you guys are talking about is like saying killing animals for meat is wrong so just amputate one of their legs; we'll eat those, and they can still hobble around.

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